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Flash

The Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen.
Art by Barry Kitson. Barry Kitson is a British comics artist best known as a Penciler of major Superhero comic books published by Marvel and DC.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Showcase #4 (Oct. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. 1956)
Created by Gardner Fox
Bob Kanigher
Carmine Infantino
In story information
Alter ego Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen (note: At one time it was said to be Barrence)
Team affiliations Justice League
Notable aliases Trans-Visible Man
Abilities Super speed
Self-molecular control
Time travel. Gardner Francis Cooper Fox (Speed Saunders was initially credited to "E Robert Kanigher ( June 18, 1915 - May 6, 2002) was a prolific comic book writer whose career spanned five decades Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925) is an American Comic book Artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age The Justice League sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short is a Fictional DC Comics superhero team. The Speed Force is a fictional concept presented in various Comic books published by DC Comics. This article details time travel itself For other uses see Time Traveler.

Bartholomew "Barry" Allen is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe and the second Flash. A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a Fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company The DC Universe ( DCU) is the fictional Shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place The character first appeared in Showcase #4 (Oct. In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. Showcase has been the title of several Anthology series published by DC Comics. 1956), created by writers Gardner Fox and Bob Kanigher and penciler Carmine Infantino. Gardner Francis Cooper Fox (Speed Saunders was initially credited to "E Robert Kanigher ( June 18, 1915 - May 6, 2002) was a prolific comic book writer whose career spanned five decades A penciller (or penciler) is one of a number of types of Artists working within the Comic book industry Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925) is an American Comic book Artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age His death in 1985 removed the character from the regular DC lineup for 23 years. Interviews in May, 2008 reveal that the character will soon appear in Final Crisis. "Final Crisis" is also the title of the twelfth issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Contents

Fictional character biography

Barry Allen is a police scientist (his job title was changed to a forensic scientist in the Iron Heights one-shot) with a reputation for being very slow, deliberate, and frequently late, which frustrates his fiancee, Iris West. Iron Heights is a Fictional setting a maximum-security Prison which houses the many Flash rogues and metahuman criminals of Keystone City Iris West Allen is a Fictional character who appears in various DC Comics publications One night, as he is preparing to leave work, a lightning bolt shatters a case full of chemicals and spills them all over Allen. As a result, Allen finds that he can run extremely fast and has matching reflexes. He dons a set of red tights sporting a lightning bolt, dubs himself the Flash (after his childhood hero in the comic books, Jay Garrick), and becomes a crimefighter of Central City. Jay Garrick is a Fictional character, a Comic book Superhero in the DC Comics universe and the first to use the name For other uses of Central City see Central City (disambiguation. In his civilian identity, he stores the costume in his ring, which can eject the compressed clothing when Allen needs it and suck it back in with the aid of a special gas that shrinks the suit. In addition, Allen invented the cosmic treadmill, a device that allowed for precise time-travel and was used in many stories. In DC Comics publications the cosmic treadmill is a Time travel device that was invented by Barry Allen, the second Flash. This article details time travel itself For other uses see Time Traveler. Allen was so well liked that nearly all speedsters that come after him are constantly compared to him. Batman once said "Barry is the kind of man that I would've hoped to become if my parents hadn't been murdered". Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created

Justice League

Showcase #4 (Oct. 1956): First appearance of the Silver Age Flash. Art by Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert.
Showcase #4 (Oct. 1956): First appearance of the Silver Age Flash. Art by Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert. Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925) is an American Comic book Artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age Joe Kubert (born September 18, 1926) is a Jewish - American Comic book Artist who went on to found the Joe Kubert School

As presented in Justice League of America #9, when the Earth is infiltrated by alien warriors sent to conquer the planet, some of the world's greatest heroes join forces -- Allen is one of them. Extraterrestrial life is Life originating outside of the Earth. While the superheroes individually defeat most of the invaders, they fall prey to a single alien and only by working together are they able to defeat the warrior. Afterwards the heroes decide to found the Justice League of America. The Justice League sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short is a Fictional DC Comics superhero team.

During the years, he is depicted as feeling attracted to Black Canary and Zatanna, but he never pursues a relationship because he feels his real love is Iris West. Black Canary is a Fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. Zatanna Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Allen also becomes good friends with Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), which would later be the subject of the limited series Flash and Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold. Harold "Hal" Jordan is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Superhero.

In Flash # 123 – "Flash of Two Worlds," – Allen is transported to Earth-Two where he meets Jay Garrick, the original Flash in DC Continuity; it is revealed that Jay Garrick's adventures were captured in comic book form on Earth-One. "Flash of Two Worlds!" is a landmark Comic book story that was published in The Flash #123 (Sept The DC Multiverse is a Fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by Comic book company DC Comics. Jay Garrick is a Fictional character, a Comic book Superhero in the DC Comics universe and the first to use the name The DC Multiverse is a Fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by Comic book company DC Comics. This storyline initiated DC's multiverse and was continued in issues of Flash and in team-ups between the Justice League of America of Earth-One and the Justice Society of America of Earth-Two. The Justice League sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short is a Fictional DC Comics superhero team. The DC Multiverse is a Fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by Comic book company DC Comics. The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics Superhero group the first team of superheroes in Comic book history The DC Multiverse is a Fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by Comic book company DC Comics. In the classic story from Flash # 179 – "The Flash - Fact or Fiction?" – Allen is thrown into the universe eventually called Earth Prime, a representation of "our" universe, where he seeks the aid of the Flash comic book's editor Julius Schwartz to build a cosmic treadmill so that he can return home. Earth Prime (or Earth-Prime) is a term sometimes used in works of Speculative fiction involving parallel universes or a multiverse, and refers Julius "Julie" Schwartz ( June 19, 1915 – February 8, 2004) was a Jewish Comic book and Pulp magazine In DC Comics publications the cosmic treadmill is a Time travel device that was invented by Barry Allen, the second Flash.

Tragedy

In time, he married his girlfriend Iris, who learned of his double identity because Allen talked in his sleep. She kept his secret, and eventually, he revealed his identity to her of his own free will. Iris was eventually revealed to have been sent as a child from the 30th century and adopted.

In the 1980s, Flash's life begins to collapse. Iris is murdered by Professor Zoom (who had long loved her and been jealous of Allen), and when Allen prepares to marry another woman, Zoom tries the same trick again. Professor Zoom is a comic book super-villain in the DC Universe. Allen stops him, killing Zoom in the process by breaking his neck. Unfortunately, due to Barry being unable to make an appearance at his own wedding, his fiancé eventually descends into madness.

Put on trial for Zoom's murder, Allen is eventually acquitted, and learns that Iris's spirit has in fact been taken to the 30th century, where she is given a new body.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Main article: Crisis on Infinite Earths

Following the trial, Allen retires and joins Iris in the 30th century. Crisis on Infinite Earths is a twelve-issue American comic book Limited series (identified as a "12-part maxi-series" and crossover However, after only a few weeks of happiness, the Crisis on Infinite Earths intervenes, and Allen is captured by the Anti-Monitor and brought to 1986; according to the Anti-Monitor, the Flash was the only being capable of travelling to other universes at will, so the Anti-Monitor couldn't allow him to stay free. The Anti-Monitor is a Fictional character, a Comic book Supervillain and the Antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics Miniseries Allen escapes and foils the Anti-Monitor's plan to destroy the Earth, but dies in the process. It has been said that Allen travels back through time and becomes the very same lightning bolt that gives him his powers, but later it is also strongly implied that the soul of Barry resides in the Speed Force, the mystical source and Valhalla open to all dead speedsters, and from which the living ones draw their amazing powers. The Speed Force is a fictional concept presented in various Comic books published by DC Comics. After Allen's death, Wally West, his nephew and sidekick (known as Kid Flash), takes up the mantle of the Flash. Wally West is a Fictional character, a Comic book Superhero in the DC Comics Universe, the first Kid Flash and the

After death

Marv Wolfman, scribe for the Crisis on Infinite Earths, has repeatedly stated (first hinted at in his introduction to the original Crisis collected edition hardcover), then fully explained on his website [1]) that he left a loophole in the script wherein the Barry Allen Flash could be re-introduced, without a retcon necessary, into DC Universe continuity. Marvin A "Marv" Wolfman (born May 13, 1946) is an award-winning American Comic book Writer. This loophole would have featured Barry being pulled out of time at some period during his desperate run to annihilate the anti-matter cannon, but, knowing that he would someday have to return to the time loop, he would become ever more determined to use his speed to help others, cramming everything that he could into the little time he had left before he would have to return and die to ensure the stability of the timeline.

It should also be noted that the way Barry Allen seemed to have "died" in Crisis on Infinite Earths, was that he ran so fast that he was able to stop the Anti-Monitor’s anti-matter cannon from firing by catching the tachyon beam at the heart of the weapon. After this act, according to Secret Origins Annual #2 (1988), Barry Allen turns into a lightning bolt, goes back in time, becoming the lightning bolt that hit his lab, splashing his past-self with chemicals and transforming him into the Flash. [2]

In Deadman: Dead Again, Barry is one of the heroes whose spirit Deadman helps to enter Heaven, and the Green Arrow storyline "Quiver" depicts Barry Allen in Heaven. For the LNER Steam locomotive, see LNER Class V2 4771 Green Arrow Green Arrow ( Oliver Jones "Ollie" Queen His spirit, however, seems to still be alive within the speed force, along with Max and the rest of the speedsters.

Legacy

Iris is pregnant when Allen dies, and she has two children, the Tornado Twins, who later meet the Legion of Super-Heroes. The Tornado Twins are Fictional characters, Superheroes in the DC Comics Universe This is about the DC Comics superhero team For the animated television series based on this see Legion of Super Heroes (TV series. Each of her children themselves have children. One, Jenni Ognats, grows up to become the Legionnaire XS, while the other, Bart Allen, is born with a rapid-aging illness, and is sent back to the 20th century where he is cured by Wally West. XS ( Jenni Ognats) is a Fictional character, a Superheroine in the future of the DC Comics universe. Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the. Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He remains there as the superhero Impulse, later becoming the second Kid Flash as a member of the Teen Titans. For the animated TV series based on this comic see Teen Titans (TV series. One year after the events of Infinite Crisis, Bart becomes the fourth Flash until he is abruptly killed by Inertia and the Rogues in The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #13. One Year Later was a 2006 event running through the DC Universe. Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George ]]|caption=Inertia in art from Flash The Fastest Man Alive #5 by Ron Adrian. This article is about a specific group of comic-book villains Wally then retook the identity of The Flash.

Post-Crisis appearances

Due to his time-travel abilities, even death does not stop Barry from aiding his friends and family.

Barry first reappears during the Chain Lightning arc, where Flashes from different eras join together to defeat Cobalt Blue. Cobalt blue is a cool slightly desaturated blue Color, historically made using Cobalt salts Previously, a man that was thought to be Barry Allen, was revealed to be a past version of Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash, who had been driven mad on a visit to the past and believed himself to be Barry Allen. Professor Zoom is a comic book super-villain in the DC Universe. Cobalt Blue is Barry Allen's twin brother, who had been given to another couple at birth due to a mistake at the hospital. The resulting battle takes place shortly before Barry Allen is kidnapped during the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Barry is nearly killed in this battle, almost rewriting the outcome of the Crisis.

When Wally West, wracked by grief for the loss of his unborn twins at the hands of Zoom, regrets the public knowledge of his identity, Barry comes from somewhere in time, counseling him, and talking the Spectre into granting his wish. Zoom (real name Hunter Zolomon) is a fictional Comic book Supervillain from the DC Comics universe. The Spectre is a fictional cosmic entity and Superhero who has appeared in numerous Comic books published by DC Comics. He then disappears, telling his nephew that he will come to his aid three times, the three most difficult days of his life. In fact, when Zoom enlists the aid of Professor Zoom to make Wally relive the loss of his beloved twins, Barry is already there, trying to stop his own Reverse Flash. Professor Zoom is a comic book super-villain in the DC Universe. Reverse-Flash is a title that has been taken by three Supervillains in DC Comics. For the second time, he helps Wally to undo the damage dealt by Zoom, also allowing Wally to save his twins, and then he returns to his proper timeline. Barry has yet to help Wally a third time.

In the Marvel Comics series Quasar[1],an amnesiac Barry Allen easily wins a race, sponsored by the Runner, made up of the super-speed competitors of Earth-616; his costume is greatly tattered as part of his disguise (said disguise possibly done for copyright reasons), and he is amnesiac, remembering himself only vaguely as "Buried Alien. Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc "

Infinite Crisis

Main article: Infinite Crisis

In the fourth issue of Infinite Crisis, Barry Allen comes out from the Speed Force, along with Johnny Quick and Max Mercury, to help his grandson Bart to deal with Superboy-Prime, taking the villainous child with him in the Speed Force. Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Johnny Quick is the name of two DC Comics characters each with the power of Superhuman speed Max Mercury is a Fictional character, a DC Comics superhero based on Quality Comics ' Quicksilver. Bart Allen appears wearing Barry Allen's costume in Tokyo near the end of Infinite Crisis #5 to tell the heroes that Superboy-Prime has escaped the Speed Force. Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the. Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. Bart again reappears in Infinite Crisis #7 in Barry Allen's costume to combat Superboy-Prime once more.

In Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #6 (2006) (with a portion taking place shortly before Infinite Crisis #5) is told how Barry spent four years in an alternate Keystone City along with Max Mercury, Johnny Quick and an alternate Jay Garrick, until he met Bart and Wally West, joining him after the battle against Superboy-Prime. After Superboy escapes, Barry suggests that someone has to absorb the whole Speed Force and cross the dimensional bridge back to Post-Crisis Earth. As Bart volunteers, Barry gives him his suit as a last gift, to keep the Force contained, and stays behind. Wally West didn't go because of his wife and kids. Bart says he knows Barry would go if he could, but why Barry Allen could not make the journey himself is not stated.

Return

In April 2008, the special DC Universe #0 issue features an unnamed narrator who initially compares himself to everything. As the story progresses, he begins to refer to his past and association with Justice League members such as Hal Jordan and Superman. The Justice League sometimes called the Justice League of America or JLA for short is a Fictional DC Comics superhero team. Harold "Hal" Jordan is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Superhero. Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon The lettering in which he speaks to the reader is yellow on backgrounds that are initially black. As the story moves forward, the background slowly begins turning red. In the final pages, the narration boxes feature a yellow lightning bolt. On the final page, the moon appears in front of a red sky, as a yellow lightning bolt strikes diagonally in front of it creating the logo of the Flash. The title of the story is revealed to be "Let There Be Lightning. "

A New York Daily News story released on the same day proclaims that Barry Allen has returned to life, with issue co-writer Geoff Johns stating, "When the greatest evil comes back to the DC Universe, the greatest hero needed to return. The Daily News of New York City is the fifth most-widely circulated daily Newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 703137 Geoff Johns (born 25 Jan 1973 in Detroit Michigan) is an American Comic book Writer, best known for his work for "[3] Ads for the second issue of Final Crisis seem to possibly indicate a full return in that issue. [2]


Powers and abilities

Barry Allen was believed to be the fastest of all known Flashes, capable of running at the speed of light with little difficulty and at times the speed of thought. In Flash #150, "straining every muscle," he ran at ten times the speed of light. However, when he pushed himself further (during the Crisis on Infinite Earths) he appeared to waste away as he was converted into pure energy, travelled back in time, and was revealed to be the very bolt of lightning that gave him his powers. Barry Allen possessed abilities that Jay Garrick and Wally West have not always been able to duplicate, most notably the ability to "vibrate" in such a way as to pass through solid matter. Allen regularly engaged in time travel using the Cosmic Treadmill device.

Rogues gallery

Main article: Rogues (comics)

The Flash acquired a colorful rogues gallery of villains. This article is about a specific group of comic-book villains These criminals typically had unusually modest goals for their power level (robbery or other petty crimes), and each adopted a specific theme in his or her equipment and methods.

Trade paperback and hardcover collection

Collected editions that reprint issues of The Flash (vol. 1) and other comics featuring Barry Allen. The Archives are hardcover, all the others are softcover trade paperbacks:

Title Material collected
Original
The Flash Archives Vol. 1 HC Showcase #4, 8, 13-14
The Flash (vol. 2) #104-108
The Flash Archives Vol. 2 HC The Flash (vol. 2) #109-116
The Flash Archives Vol. 3 HC The Flash (vol. 2) #117-124
The Flash Archives Vol. 4 HC The Flash (vol. 2) #125-132
Showcase Presents: The Flash Vol. 1 TPB Flash Comics #104
Showcase #4, #8, #13, #14
The Flash (vol. 1) #105-119
The Greatest Flash Stories Ever Told HC (1990) and TPB (1991) Flash Comics #1, 66, 86
Comic Cavalcade #24
Showcase #4
The Flash (vol. 1) #107, 113, 119, 124, 125, 137, 143, 148, 179
Five-Star Super-Hero Spectacular
The Flash (vol. 2) #2
The Flash: The Greatest Stories Ever Told TPB (2007) Flash Comics #86, 104
The Flash (vol. 1) #123, 155, 165, 179
The Flash (vol. 2) #91
DC Special Series #11

Other versions

"Buried Alien"
"Buried Alien"

Other media

Kenny Johnston as Barry Allen in Justice League of America
Kenny Johnston as Barry Allen in Justice League of America
Flash (Barry Allen) in Justice League: The New Frontier.
Flash (Barry Allen) in Justice League: The New Frontier. Justice League The New Frontier is a Direct-to-video Animated film adaptation of the popular DC comic limited series

External links

Notes and references

  1. ^ Quasar #17
  2. ^ http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=9482
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